to pay down the deficit. and it should be used to potentially make our businesses more competitive. now, i think, is balanced mix of spending cuts and tax reform is the best way to finish the job of deficit reduction. the overwhelming majority of the american people, democrats and republicans, as well as independents, have the same view. and both the house and senate are working towards budget proposals that i hope help reflect this balanced approach. having said that, i know that having a full budget may not be finished before march 1. unfortunately, that is the date my fear is a powerful automatic cuts also known as the silk was sure are scheduled to take effect. if congress cannot act immediately on a bigger package -- i believe they should at least pass a smaller package of spending cuts and tax reforms that would delight the damaging effects of the sequester for a few months. there is no reason that the jobs of thousands of americans who work in national security or education or clean energy, not to ment